Hybridization properties of deoxyoligonucleotides containing anthraquinone pseudonucleosides

Achiral pseudonucleosides bearing an anthraquinone moiety have been incorporated into deoxyoligonucleotides in internal, 3' and 5' positions. The ability of these modified deoxyoligonucleotides to hybridize to complementary RNA and DNA was investigated using Tm measurements. The anthraquinone was shown to enhance binding to a complementary RNA when linked to the 3' and 5' end. Pseudonucleoside substitutions on the 3' end of an oligonucleotide are also shown to confer serum stability to the oligonucleotide.